SA 8000 | BSCI | WRAP

SA8000 is a global social accountability standard for decent working conditions, developed and overseen by Social Accountability International (SAI).

Rising public concern about inhumane working conditions in developing countries led to the creation in 1997 of the Council on Economic Priorities Accreditation Agency. Its purpose was to draw up a universal code of practice for labor conditions in manufacturing industry, so that consumers in developed countries could be confident that the goods they were buying - in particular clothes, toys, cosmetics and electronic goods - had been produced in accordance with recognized set of standards.

Having demonstrated compliance with existing regulations and assessed how current practice compares with the provisions of SA8000, the company is given the status of 'SA8000 applicant'.

The business then implements an SA8000 programme, which is scrutinized by a 'pre-assessment audit'. Any improvements that are recommended should be implemented before the formal audit takes place.

After the formal assessment, the company is again given the opportunity to rectify any shortcomings, before being assessed again. If at the end of this process the auditors are satisfied that the company is fully compliant, they will recommend an SA8000 certificate, valid for three years.

Benefits of SA8000

Initial evidence indicates that SA8000 certified facilities enjoy a competitive advantage and workers experience concrete benefits as the SA8000 management system and any needed corrective actions are put in place.

Benefits for Workers, Trade Unions and NGOs:

• Enhanced opportunities to organize trade unions and bargain collectively.
• A tool to educate workers about core labor rights.
• An opportunity to work directly with business on labor rights issues.
• A way to generate public awareness of companies committed to assuring humane working conditions.

Benefits for Business:

• Drives company values into action.
• Enhances company and brand reputation
• Improves employee recruitment, retention and productivity.
• Supports better supply chain management and performance.

Benefits for Consumers and Investors:

• Clear and credible assurance for ethical purchasing decisions.
• Identification of ethically made products and companies committed to ethical sourcing.
• Broad coverage of product categories and production geography.

SA-8000 Elements

Child Labor: No workers under the age of 15; minimum lowered to 14 for countries operating under the ILO Convention 138 developing-country exception; remediation of any child found to be working

Forced Labor: No forced labor, including prison or debt bondage labor; no lodging of deposits or identity papers by employers or outside recruiters

Health and Safety: Provide a safe and healthy work environment; take steps to prevent injuries; regular health and safety worker training; system to detect threats to health and safety; access to bathrooms and potable water

Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining: Respect the right to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; where law prohibits these freedoms, facilitate parallel means of association and bargaining

Discrimination: No discrimination based on race, caste, origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union or political affiliation, or age; no sexual harassment.

Discipline: No corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse.

Working Hours: Comply with the applicable law but, in any event, no more than 48 hours per week with at least one day off for every seven day period; voluntary overtime paid at a premium rate and not to exceed 12 hours per week on a regular basis; overtime may be mandatory if part of a collective bargaining agreement.

Compensation: Wages paid for a standard work week must meet the legal and industry standards and be sufficient to meet the basic need of workers and their families; no disciplinary deductions

Management Systems: Facilities seeking to gain and maintain certification must go beyond simple compliance to integrate the standard into their management systems and practices.

All the legal compliances should be fulfilled.